This, he said, was causing confusion with regard to spread and severity of dengue in the state. He stressed that a negative result from card tests does not rule out the possibility of an early infection of dengue virus.

Dr Kashyotia, who is in-charge of MP and Rajasthan, has visited Betul, Hoshangabad and Shivpuri. He was in Bhopal on Monday to see how health officials and doctors were dealing with dengue outbreak. About 650 dengue cases have been reported across 31 districts since January.

Meanwhile, Bhopal collector Nishant Warwade emphasised on coordination amongst various departments to fight against dengue outbreak, at a meeting on Monday.